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CD
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PMG 031CD
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PMG present an anthology of Ahmed Fakroun's work. "Insanely popular across the Maghreb, name-checked in international spy novels and beloved of music adventurers like David Byrne, Libyan superstar Ahmed Fakroun is the most astounding raï-disco-electronica pioneer ever to be heard. His 1983 album, Mots D'Amour (PMG 005CD/LP, 1983) is regarded as a global fusion classic. This self-titled anthology of songs from the late '70s is an altogether mellower affair. The grooves are slower and sweeter and Fakroun's multi-instrumentalist chops on the saz, mandol and darbouka drum really come to the fore. The album includes tracks from two of Ahmed's rarest and most sought-after 7 inches. 'Nysan' has an almost west coast vibe: think Ned Doheny via Benghazi. Balearic-minded collectors will love the haunting flute runs in 'Awedny', produced by Tommy Vance, and 'Njoom Al Leyel'. There's even a touch of lilting reggae on 'Falah' and 'Yu Hussad.' Ahmend Fakroun is the perfect late night, come-down album, especially after a hot and sweaty evening in a raï club, somewhere in North Africa." -- Peter Moore.
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CD
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PMG 005CD
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PMG present a reissue of Ahmed Fakroun's Mots D'Amour, originally released in 1983. The Arab world back in the '70s and '80s gave us quite a few very interesting rock and pop acts. Ahmed Fakroun from Libya was definitely one of them. His 1983 Mots D'Amour, means "Love Words" in English. His kind of ethno pop seems to go deeper than just to the charts, where songs like "Soleil Soleil" - a typical yet outstanding synth-pop/new-wave anthem that would have gone well with David Bowie or Duran Duran in the early '80s - would have belonged. Other tunes are more Oriental with great string arrangements and those mystical melodies that only Arab and Oriental music provides. It goes forth and back with these elements. Mots D'Amour is a rather colorful affair, when it comes to '80s pop music and within the fine arrangements, there is a lot of solid handcraft from the instrumental section. Whoever worked with Ahmed Fakroun in the studio during the album production shall be praised and blessed for his talent as well. All in all, this is one of the lost gems of '80s pop music. Compared to many European releases from 1983, Mots D'Amour can easily match up with all of them and has several outstanding evergreens on board. The sound is perfect for the time as well. Grab a copy of this reissue and make your dance party go crazy with this fascinating guy from Libya.
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LP
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PMG 005LP
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LP version. Reissue of Ahmed Fakroun's Mots D'Amour, originally released in 1983. The Arab world back in the '70s and '80s gave us quite a few very interesting rock and pop acts. Ahmed Fakroun from Libya was definitely one of them. His 1983 Mots D'Amour, means "Love Words" in English. His kind of ethno pop seems to go deeper than just to the charts, where songs like "Soleil Soleil" - a typical yet outstanding synth-pop/new-wave anthem that would have gone well with David Bowie or Duran Duran in the early '80s - would have belonged. Other tunes are more Oriental with great string arrangements and those mystical melodies that only Arab and Oriental music provides. It goes forth and back with these elements. Mots D'Amour is a rather colorful affair, when it comes to '80s pop music and within the fine arrangements, there is a lot of solid handcraft from the instrumental section. Whoever worked with Ahmed Fakroun in the studio during the album production shall be praised and blessed for his talent as well. All in all, this is one of the lost gems of '80s pop music. Compared to many European releases from 1983, Mots D'Amour can easily match up with all of them and has several outstanding evergreens on board. The sound is perfect for the time as well. Grab a copy of this reissue and make your dance party go crazy with this fascinating guy from Libya.
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